tradition_n another_o set_a of_o testimony_n which_o eusebius_n furnish_v we_o with_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a tradition_n be_v relic_n building_n and_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n several_a of_o which_o be_v remain_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v by_o he_o himself_o such_o be_v christian_a burying-place_n and_o sepulcher_n with_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n upon_o they_o particular_o those_o of_o peter_n and_o paul_n statue_n and_o picture_n particular_o the_o statue_n of_o the_o woman_n cure_v by_o christ_n of_o the_o bloody_a flux_n picture_n of_o christ_n peter_n and_o paul_n in_o colour_n these_o be_v all_o see_v by_o eusebius_n himself_o as_o be_v likewise_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n of_o james_n at_o jerusalem_n several_a christian_a library_n and_o several_a christian_a temple_n before_o they_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o destroy_v by_o the_o order_n of_o dieclesian_n these_o and_o many_o other_o such_o like_a monument_n remain_v in_o eusebius_n time_n whether_o 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and_o
christ_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o sect_n of_o man_n call_v christian_n begin_v to_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v very_o particular_o and_o circumstantial_o set_v down_o by_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o be_v the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n cesar_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n and_o herod_n be_v tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o his_o brother_n philip_n tetrarch_n of_o iturea_n and_o of_o the_o region_n of_o trachonitis_n and_o lysanias_n the_o tetrarch_n of_o abilene_n annas_n and_o caiaphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o the_o book_n call_v the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o same_o st._n luke_n it_o be_v affirm_v that_o the_o disciple_n by_o which_o word_n be_v there_o mean_v all_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o he_o be_v call_v christian_n first_o at_o antioch_n 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what_o be_v say_v concern_v the_o completion_n of_o agabus_n prophecy_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n that_o he_o first_o utter_v his_o prophecy_n some_o time_n before_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n cesar_n the_o time_n when_o the_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n must_v likewise_o be_v soon_o or_o late_a before_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n which_o claudius_n be_v the_o immediate_a successor_n of_o caligula_n in_o the_o empire_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o question_n must_v happen_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o caligula_n or_o at_o some_o time_n before_o now_o from_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n when_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o doctrine_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o last_o of_o caligula_n when_o his_o disciple_n be_v first_o call_v christian_n at_o antioch_n be_v about_o twelve_o year_n from_o whence_o to_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o nero_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v first_o persecute_v at_o rome_n be_v a_o little_a above_o twenty_o year_n within_o five_o year_n after_o which_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o a_o end_n be_v put_v to_o the_o jewish_a government_n and_o policy_n so_o that_o from_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n when_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o christ_n first_o publish_v his_o gospel_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o first_o of_o vespasian_n when_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v be_v about_o forty_o year_n and_o no_o more_o if_o therefore_o these_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o neronian_a persecution_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v true_a as_o be_v constant_o attest_v by_o heathen_a and_o jewish_a as_o well_o as_o christian_a writer_n it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o those_o mention_v by_o st._n luke_n be_v so_o too_o for_o before_o the_o fifteen_o of_o tiberius_n no_o sign_n or_o footstep_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v it_o pretend_v by_o any_o of_o the_o adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v early_o and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n fall_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o vespasian_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o thence_o to_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o have_v have_v as_o early_o a_o date_n of_o that_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o find_v great_a number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n in_o nero_n time_n both_o the_o propagation_n as_o well_o as_o original_a of_o the_o christian_a religion_n must_v have_v happen_v not_o only_o before_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o some_o time_n between_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o tiberius_n and_o the_o ten_o of_o nero_n and_o consequent_o the_o account_n before_o give_v by_o st._n luke_n of_o these_o great_a event_n can_v well_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v false_a but_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o mistake_n in_o time_n if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o suppose_a can_v be_v considerable_a from_o all_o which_o i_o think_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o 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history_n of_o this_o famous_a emperor_n and_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n under_o his_o reign_n in_o the_o twenty_o year_n of_o which_o be_v hold_v a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v a_o meeting_n or_o assembly_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n who_o come_v from_o all_o the_o different_a province_n and_o city_n both_o of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a empire_n and_o be_v person_n that_o in_o their_o several_a district_n govern_v and_o direct_v in_o religion_n affair_n the_o chief_a design_n of_o that_o meeting_n be_v by_o constantine_n who_o call_v they_o together_o declare_v to_o be_v for_o the_o decision_n of_o a_o controversy_n that_o have_v happen_v between_o certain_a christian_a professor_n concern_v a_o particular_a article_n or_o doctrine_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o some_o affirm_v aught_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o one_o sense_n and_o some_o in_o another_o these_o bishop_n do_v meet_v according_o to_o the_o number_n of_o about_o 300_o decide_v the_o 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account_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o heathen_n who_o write_n do_v any_o way_n concern_v christianity_n for_o neither_o those_o of_o they_o that_o be_v instrumental_a in_o the_o persecution_n of_o christian_n nor_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o overthrow_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n by_o argument_n do_v deny_v any_o of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o have_v distinguish_v by_o the_o title_n of_o common_a historical_a fact_n and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o be_v confirm_v by_o other_o heathen_a writer_n who_o treat_v of_o their_o own_o affair_n only_o or_o mention_v christian_a matter_n occasional_o as_o they_o happen_v to_o be_v intermix_v with_o those_o thing_n they_o design_o write_v about_o nay_o some_o of_o those_o that_o write_v express_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v not_o only_o allow_v that_o christ_n pretend_v to_o miracle_n and_o that_o he_o do_v those_o thing_n record_v 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that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v likewise_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o avast_o multitude_n more_o both_o of_o such_o as_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o of_o such_o as_o reject_v and_o oppose_v it_o and_o violent_o persecute_v the_o teacher_n of_o it_o to_o omit_v the_o testimony_n of_o true_a believer_n thus_o it_o be_v record_v concern_v those_o upon_o who_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o power_n nor_o influence_n the_o ruler_n elder_n scribe_n and_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o summon_v peter_n and_o john_n before_o they_o for_o cure_v a_o lame_a man_n can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o a_o notable_a miracle_n have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o which_o be_v manifest_a to_o all_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v afterward_o fill_v with_o indignation_n and_o take_v counsel_n to_o slay_v they_o because_o they_o can_v not_o restrain_v they_o from_o do_v more_o miracle_n 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all_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o same_o be_v plain_o imply_v by_o the_o frequent_a rule_n and_o caution_n that_o be_v give_v by_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o due_a exercise_n of_o they_o and_o the_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n they_o often_o express_v lest_o the_o christian_n thus_o impower_v shall_v by_o covet_v one_o another_o gift_n or_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o those_o they_o be_v several_o possess_v of_o neglect_v to_o apply_v themselves_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o scripture-account_a of_o miracle_n and_o these_o be_v those_o wonderful_a fact_n believe_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n their_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a ground_n and_o motive_n of_o their_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n or_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v likewise_o other_o strange_a matter_n of_o fact_n call_v prophecy_n which_o be_v most_o sure_o believe_v among_o they_o and_o which_o contribute_v very_o much_o to_o their_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n without_o waver_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v consider_v in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o method_n i_o do_v miracle_n for_o there_o be_v several_a prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o together_o with_o several_a other_o speak_v with_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o fulfil_v by_o he_o other_o there_o be_v mention_v as_o speak_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o prophecy_n immediate_o from_o he_o it_o be_v plain_a also_o from_o several_a instance_n and_o passage_n in_o the_o sacred_a write_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v convey_v by_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n to_o private_a christian_n and_o be_v very_o common_a among_o they_o the_o prophecy_n speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v most_o of_o they_o 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such_o as_o continue_v in_o the_o religion_n they_o be_v before_o educate_v in_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o miracle_n they_o see_v most_o of_o the_o former_a sort_n be_v person_n of_o remarkable_a probity_n and_o integrity_n and_o of_o great_a simplicity_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n who_o renounce_v all_o the_o interest_n and_o advantage_n of_o this_o present_a world_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o great_a variety_n of_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n for_o their_o constant_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o miracle_n and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v of_o person_n of_o this_o character_n that_o they_o will_v invent_v and_o industrious_o propagate_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a if_o the_o agreement_n of_o so_o many_o in_o the_o same_o design_n have_v be_v possible_a but_o if_o so_o many_o people_n can_v be_v suppose_v capable_a of_o form_v such_o a_o design_n and_o of_o put_v on_o such_o a_o false_a character_n for_o the_o better_a promote_a of_o 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of_o the_o world_n they_o continue_v still_o in_o their_o sin_n and_o never_o live_v up_o to_o those_o holy_a rule_n he_o prescribe_v these_o who_o never_o feel_v the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v never_o be_v so_o concern_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o it_o as_o constant_o to_o vouch_v and_o maintain_v a_o unprofitable_a lie_n in_o its_o defence_n when_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a they_o may_v have_v have_v easy_a conscience_n and_o better_a fortune_n for_o disprove_v the_o pretence_n it_o be_v build_v upon_o other_o of_o they_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o turn_v again_o unto_o those_o beggarly_a element_n or_o idol_n they_o be_v free_v from_o neither_o can_v these_o be_v suspect_v of_o justify_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a in_o behalf_n of_o a_o religion_n they_o have_v forsake_v it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o suppose_v have_v they_o be_v privy_a to_o any_o deceit_n that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v very_o zealous_a in_o the_o 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for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n to_o a_o few_o choose_a person_n we_o have_v these_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o true_a the_o fact_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o as_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v and_o discern_v as_o the_o other_o before_o mention_v the_o several_a witness_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o happen_v at_o several_a time_n take_v altogether_o be_v a_o great_a many_o which_o make_v a_o agreement_n of_o they_o all_o to_o deceive_v and_o a_o constant_a invincible_a perseverance_n in_o a_o cheat_n very_o difficult_a to_o imagine_v the_o character_n of_o they_o as_o far_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v such_o as_o leave_v no_o room_n to_o suspect_v the_o fidelity_n of_o their_o relation_n for_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o disciple_n especial_o who_o be_v principal_o concern_v in_o the_o present_a cause_n represent_v as_o honest_a sincere_a undesigning_a person_n that_o fear_v god_n and_o 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prediction_n be_v fulfil_v and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o true_a prophecy_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o know_v that_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o jewish_a people_n drive_v out_o of_o their_o country_n whatever_o way_n this_o come_v about_o but_o to_o know_v that_o such_o a_o man_n be_v well_o or_o such_o another_o alive_a or_o that_o the_o one_o have_v be_v sick_a and_o the_o other_o to_o all_o appearance_n dead_a be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v a_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n in_o either_o case_n and_o a_o person_n who_o do_v not_o see_v the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n in_o which_o each_o of_o these_o fact_n be_v do_v can_v receive_v no_o assurance_n of_o they_o afterward_o but_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o because_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a remain_n and_o footstep_n of_o the_o miracle_n leave_v after_o the_o action_n be_v over_o whereas_o in_o the_o other_o instance_n of_o prophecy_n the_o event_n be_v constant_o the_o same_o 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that_o be_v make_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o the_o vast_a multitude_n of_o seem_a miracle_n that_o must_v have_v be_v continual_o wrought_v for_o their_o conversion_n in_o all_o place_n together_o with_o the_o steady_a and_o invincible_a perseverance_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o faith_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o suffering_n they_o endure_v for_o believe_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o imagine_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o whole_a age_n of_o delusion_n and_o deceit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o long_a continue_a train_n and_o series_n of_o mere_a empty_a appearance_n without_o any_o reality_n under_o they_o which_o produce_v such_o real_a effect_n as_o remain_v till_o this_o day_n and_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o extraordinory_n nature_n as_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n give_v a_o new_a turn_n to_o the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o world_n since_o 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man_n than_o any_o other_o nation_n under_o heaven_n when_o they_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o learning_n among_o they_o no_o gradual_a improvement_n in_o knowledge_n as_o we_o find_v other_o country_n have_v how_o come_v the_o whole_a people_n to_o have_v these_o notion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o know_v among_o they_o in_o all_o the_o period_n of_o learning_n among_o the_o egyptian_n chaldean_n greek_n and_o roman_n the_o people_n be_v general_o idolater_n and_o the_o priest_n and_o philosopher_n dare_v not_o propagate_v better_a notion_n of_o god_n when_o they_o have_v find_v they_o out_o though_o even_o their_o best_a have_v a_o ridiculous_a mixture_n of_o fable_n and_o superstition_n in_o they_o how_o then_o come_v the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o remain_v entire_o free_a from_o idolatry_n for_o so_o many_o year_n ever_o since_o they_o become_v a_o nation_n or_o if_o we_o believe_v their_o own_o story_n and_o they_o be_v as_o inclinable_a to_o worship_n idol_n 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notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v to_o they_o by_o the_o reason_n and_o dispute_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o by_o the_o force_n and_o authority_n of_o magistrate_n and_o man_n in_o power_n notwithstanding_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v be_v everywhere_o speak_v against_o and_o the_o preacher_n and_o believer_n of_o it_o be_v everywhere_o persecute_v and_o afflict_a with_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o suffering_n their_o enemy_n can_v invent_v and_o when_o we_o perceive_v it_o so_o order_v that_o the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v confound_v the_o wise_a that_o the_o weak_a and_o base_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thing_n which_o be_v despise_v shall_v confound_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v mighty_a and_o in_o great_a esteem_n we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n have_v choose_v they_o and_o what_o be_v thus_o wonderful_a in_o our_o eye_n be_v the_o lord_n be_v do_v thus_o it_o become_v god_n almighty_a to_o humble_a man_n and_o show_v his_o power_n in_o a_o way_n direct_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o measure_n they_o will_v have_v imagine_v proper_a be_v it_o not_o likewise_o every_o way_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o agreeable_a both_o to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o his_o design_n in_o give_v mankind_n a_o more_o perfect_a model_n of_o religion_n than_o they_o be_v hitherto_o acquaint_v with_o that_o he_o shall_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o beauty_n and_o reasonableness_n and_o encourage_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o by_o exemplify_a the_o whole_a scheme_n in_o the_o live_v of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o preacher_n of_o this_o religion_n and_o where_o be_v such_o perfect_a character_n of_o man_n ever_o hear_v of_o before_o as_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o most_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n believer_n what_o can_v more_o demonstrate_v the_o force_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o recommend_v it_o more_o effectual_o to_o the_o world_n 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